What makes a DNA Fingerprint Unique?
I need to experiment and create a lab report.
Writing Lab Reports
What lab reports and scientific papers do:
– Persuade others to accept or reject hypotheses by presenting data and interpretations
– Detail data, procedures, and outcomes for future researchers
– Become part of the accepted body of scientific knowledge when published unless later disproved
– Provide an archival record for reference and document a current situation for future comparison
Format
Title:
– Reflect the factual content with less than ten words in a straightforward manner
Statement of the Problem:
– What question(s) are you trying to answer?
Hypothesis:
– Write a possible solution for the problem.
Make sure this possible solution is a complete sentence.
Make sure the statement is testable, an if-then statement is recommended to illustrate what criteria will support your hypothesis (and what data would not support the hypothesis).
Background/Introduction:
– Define the subject of the report: “Why was this study performed?”
– Provide background information and relevant studies: “What knowledge already exists about this subject?”
Materials and methods:
– List materials used, how were they used, and where and when was the work done (especially important in field studies)
– Describe special pieces of equipment and the general theory of the analyses or assays used
Results
– Concentrate on general trends and differences and not on trivial details.
– Summarize the data from the experiments without discussing their implications
– Organize data into tables, figures, graphs, photographs, etc. Data in a table should not be duplicated in a graph or figure
– Title all figures and tables; include a legend explaining symbols, abbreviations, or special methods
– Number figures and tables separately and refer to them in the text by their number, i.e.
1. Figure 1 shows that the activity….
2. The activity decreases after five minutes (fig. 1)
Discussion
– Interpret the data; do not restate the results
– Relate results to existing theory and knowledge
– Explain the logic that allows you to accept or reject your original hypotheses
– Speculate as necessary but identify it as such
– Include suggestions for improving your techniques or design, or clarify areas of doubt for further research
http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/scientific-reports/
